RESIDENT GROUPS UNITE TO FORM AN ARMY OF 185,000 RESIDENTS READY TO FIGHT WESTCONNEX PLANS IN INNER WEST

posted by Pauline Lockie | 3044.20sc
November 24, 2014

SEVENTEEN local action groups have united to form an army of opposition to WestCONnex as residents refuse to back down on a project that will haunt developers if it goes ahead.

The resident action groups have the active support of more than 185,000 Inner West residents who have bombarded local MPs and councillors with letters of opposition since the announcement was made.

“The groups have come together since the Newtown Festival with a united purpose to force the government to reassess public transport options for WestCONnex,” said WestCONnex Action Group organiser Janet Dandy-Ward.

“Active membership of the groups has exploded, and social media has connected us all to coordinate our activities and fight this in lock step.

“Any developer is going to need to consider the financial implications of taking on a contract with highly organised and motivated action groups united by the same cause.

“The mood is like a powderkeg now that Inner West residents are aware of what’s happening, and it’s only getting hotter as pressure mounts on elected representatives to consider the scale of opposition to this flawed transport plan.

“The environmental and community concerns will factor into decisions of whoever wins the tender, so residents are now mobilising to have their voices heard prior to the Environmental Impact Statement.

“The government has viable alternatives presented to them in the NSW Master Transport Plan for railway options that will alleviate traffic congestion, provide better port access for freight, and create long term employment opportunities.

We are now in discussion with resident groups in Surry Hills, which also represents people living in Waterloo, Redfern, and Zetland, and that will only add to the weight of numbers opposing this dreadful plan that has no business case,” said Janet Dandy-Ward.